Work in progress

Work in progress

CONSTRUCTION work has started on the first hotel at the Suva foreshore development for Carpenters Properties Ltd.

Pacific Building Solutions have been contracted to undertake construction, which is due to be completed in December 2018.

PBS group managing director Michael Fairfax yesterday said they were excited about the project and were in discussions for stage two which was an additional 150 rooms and expected to generate up to 80 jobs.

Mr Fairfax also confirmed that Concrete Solutions Fiji Ltd, a specialist concreting company under the PBS Group had commenced piling and pre-casting concrete panels.

At the official announcement of the project last year, Carpenters Properties Ltd had said the plan was to develop 10 acres of waterfront real estate and construct two three to four-star hotels, one of which would be constructed by Carpenters Properties Ltd.

WR Carpenter (PNG) Group of Companies Group CEO Sir Morgan Lourdenadin had earlier said they expected to invest $120 million in the first phase of the project which was expected to be completed in 2019.

Meanwhile project consultants from Australia, SinclairBrook confirmed through their website that the second budget hotel was in the detailed design stage and its construction was anticipated to commence around May 2018 and be completed in November 2019.

It said the luxury hotel, comprising two levels of hotel amenities, four levels of hotel rooms and topped by five levels of residential, would undergo detailed design over the coming months, with construction likely to commence by the end of 2018.

According to the consultants, an existing Suva MHCC shopping centre and car park is to be topped by a new office tower comprising 13 levels.

It said China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) had been contracted to construct the Carpenters Tower structure, faÃ§ade and roof.

Demolition has already taken place, the crane has been erected, and the first slab is due to be poured in mid-February 2018.